2.04.2010

I have a story to tell. At this year's Regina Folk Festival, I arrived a little late to Victoria Park on Friday night when this Vancouver-based world-beat ts group with bhangra and celtic influences performed on the main stage, so I only caught half their set. I was backstage then, and from what I could see, the crowd was really into it. Then later I had a very nice chat with the fiddle player Kytami where we talked a bit about the band's origins in Vancouver, and their potential to become popular in large chunks of the world due to their cross-cultural appeal.

How calculated that all is, I'm not really sure. But it certainly reflects a trend that is surely only going to accelerate as society becomes increasingly globalized. For a band like Delhi 2 Dublin, who play the Exchange tonight as part of the Regina Folk Festival Concert Series, the world truly is their oyster. Here's the video for their song "Apples"off their self-titled 2007 debut album. (YouTube)

Also, at the Lazy Owl tonight there's a benefit for earthquake relief in Haiti that serves as a wrap-up to two weeks of fundraising by university students to raise money to send to the beleaguered country. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., with entertainment starting at 9:15. First up is an acoustic set from what organizers describe as "very special guests", followed by a second acoustic set by Valerie McLeod (aka Val Halla). Rounding out the evening will be a set by OYE!. $5 at the door.